What do you do when a lead technician is silently drowning, and no matter how many times you offer help, they won’t take your hand? In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark and Stephanie Goss tackle a deeply familiar challenge: supporting veterinary technicians who are struggling, especially when they won’t open up about what’s really going on. This episode is a must-listen for any veterinary leader grappling with how to balance compassion and accountability. With both...
Jun 25, 2025•21 min
What do you do when you're promoted, unsupported, and then demoted? That’s the raw question tackled by Dr. Andy Roark and Stephanie Goss in this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast. In veterinary medicine, leadership failure can feel deeply personal, especially when it looks like a promotion followed by radio silence and eventual disappointment. This episode dives into what it means to be set up to fail in leadership, how to recover emotionally, and how to turn that painful experience in...
Jun 18, 2025•18 min
Veterinary clinics are evolving and so are the people leading them. In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark and Maria Pirita take on a deceptively simple mailbag question: “Non-medically trained practice manager?” It sparks a deep dive into one of the profession’s biggest shifts, the rise of the non-medical practice manager and the new dynamics of clinic leadership. From breaking down the growing divide between medicine and operations to offering hard-won insights fro...
Jun 11, 2025•16 min
What do you do when your team is great on paper, skilled, kind, even gets along well, but when things get busy, the plan collapses and everyone starts freelancing? In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark and Stephanie Goss tackle a leadership scenario that’s as frustrating as it is familiar: what to do when the team keeps going rogue. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Why won’t they just follow the plan?” this episode is for you. Let’s unpack what’s really goi...
Jun 04, 2025•27 min
Dr. Andy Roark sits down with Anthony Pierlioni, VP of the Turtle Room and Manager of Training & Facilitation at VCA, to talk about his book, Veterinary Leadership Through Fresh Eyes. This heartfelt, candid conversation offers fresh insight into veterinary leadership from someone who took the long road to management, bringing empathy, emotional intelligence, and a social worker’s mindset into the veterinary world. Whether you’re new to veterinary practice management or mentoring the next gen...
May 28, 2025•18 min
Is your boss the reason morale is low and turnover is high? In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, hosts Dr. Andy Roark and Stephanie Goss unpack a heartbreaking mailbag letter from a veterinary practice manager stuck in a toxic situation. The letter details an emotionally draining reality: a practice owner whose yelling, micromanagement, and disparaging gossip have left the team completely demoralized. If you’re facing a similar dynamic with a practice bully, you’re not alone. Ste...
May 21, 2025•21 min
In this episode Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark and Stephanie Goss respond to a mailbag letter about a sensitive workplace issue: management silencing employees. What happens when team members are told not to express emotions, especially when they’re feeling overwhelmed by clients or coworkers? With heart, humor, and unflinching honesty, Andy and Stephanie dive into the philosophical, emotional, and tactical layers of this challenge. From espresso mishaps to kung-fu chiropractor vis...
May 14, 2025•20 min
In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark sits down with Roy Jain, Chief Operating Officer of Blue River Pet Care, to explore how veterinary practice operations can be scaled across 210 hospitals without losing what makes each clinic special. If you're a veterinary practice owner who's ever thought about selling your clinic, or simply scaling your operations more effectively, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical takeaways. Tune in as Roy Jain breaks down the...
May 07, 2025•15 min
In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark and Maria Pirita unpack a tricky, heartfelt mailbag letter from a practice manager stuck between supporting her aspiring technicians and honoring the clinic’s limitations. The episode offers practical leadership strategies to communicate a “no” with empathy, inspire continued growth, and thoughtfully advocate for veterinary technician school support—even when funding isn’t possible right now. If you’ve ever felt caught between a...
Apr 30, 2025•18 min
What do you do when your veterinary technician schedule falls apart only weeks into opening your dream clinic? In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark and Stephanie Goss dive into a real mailbag question from a new practice owner facing an all-too-relatable scenario: a small team, a clear plan, and suddenly—schedule drama. This episode unpacks the leadership insights, mindset strategies, and practical steps to resolve a technician schedule conflict with confidence, fa...
Apr 23, 2025•21 min
Veterinary leaders often find themselves stuck in a frustrating loop: despite good staffing, experienced employees, and decent workflows, the team simply isn’t moving. Everything feels like it requires a push—someone to give orders, manage every detail, and constantly follow up. The root concern? A lack of training initiative. In this episode of The Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, hosts Dr. Andy Roark and Stephanie Goss dive deep into a mailbag letter from a manager asking the million-dollar quest...
Apr 16, 2025•20 min
In this crossover episode of the Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast and Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark sits down with Dr. Kate Boatright to unpack the confidence crisis many new veterinarians face—and how a spectrum of care mindset can shift the game entirely. With Dr. Boatright speaking at the upcoming Uncharted Medical Director Summit , this conversation is a must-hear for anyone leading, mentoring, or coaching veterinary teams. Whether you're a seasoned medical director, a rising ...
Apr 09, 2025•10 min
Coaching through insecurity is one of the most challenging aspects of veterinary leadership. When a team member struggles with confidence, frustration, or toxic workplace baggage, it can feel impossible to guide them toward growth without creating conflict. In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark and Stephanie Goss answer a listener’s mailbag question: How do you mentor or coach someone through severe insecurity? The answer isn’t simple—because insecurity is rarely th...
Apr 02, 2025•17 min
Some clients require extra attention, but where do you draw the line? In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark and Stephanie Goss dive into a real-life dilemma from a veterinarian facing pushback for prioritizing a demanding client. Should veterinarians go the extra mile for clients they’ve built strong relationships with? Or does this undermine team trust and set unrealistic expectations? Let’s get into this episode! Lead with Confidence at the Uncharted Medical Direc...
Mar 26, 2025•19 min
Veterinary professionals strive to provide the highest quality care for their patients, but maintaining that standard can be challenging, especially in the face of financial concerns, evolving client expectations, and team-wide habits. When medical quality starts to slip, it often isn’t due to negligence or bad intentions. Instead, it’s a gradual shift, shaped by daily pressures and the desire to accommodate clients. In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast episode, Dr. Andy Roark and...
Mar 19, 2025•25 min
When it comes to veterinary leadership, it’s easy to get lost in the numbers—production, revenue, and efficiency metrics often take center stage. But are we truly measuring what matters? In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Stephanie Goss is joined by Dr. Phil Richmond to discuss a different approach: prioritizing people metrics alongside business success. They explore how investing in team well-being leads to better outcomes for veterinary hospitals, both financially and cultura...
Mar 12, 2025•27 min
Ever feel like your veterinary team is stuck in a cycle of nitpicking negativity? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark and Stephanie Goss dive into a listener's dilemma: how to help a team that only sees each other’s weaknesses rather than strengths. The truth is, this pattern isn’t just a veterinary industry issue—it’s a human issue. When stress runs high, people focus on what’s wrong rather than what’s working. Left unchecked, this behavior can ...
Mar 05, 2025•20 min
An associate DVM has the chance to buy 40% of their practice, but with a husband-and-wife ownership team, leadership struggles, and a toxic team dynamic, is it the right move? In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark and Stephanie Goss break down the risks and rewards of minority ownership in a veterinary practice—from decision-making power (or lack of it) to financial pitfalls and the legal must-haves before signing anything. If you’re considering buying into a practi...
Feb 26, 2025•38 min
Selling a veterinary practice is a huge decision—one that comes with financial, emotional, and cultural implications. For many veterinarians, their practice is more than just a business; it’s a legacy they’ve built over decades. But can you sell your practice while ensuring your team, clients, and values remain intact? In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark sits down with Dan Blumenthal, CEO and co-founder of Blue River PetCare, to discuss what it takes to transition...
Feb 24, 2025•36 min
Workplace bullying is an all-too-common issue in veterinary medicine. Whether it's a toxic team member or an unsupportive leadership structure, dealing with a workplace bully can feel overwhelming. In a recent episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark and Stephanie Goss tackled a mailbag question from a practice manager struggling with a long-term CSR who is making life miserable for the team. Their discussion sheds light on how to approach, address, and, if necessary, walk awa...
Feb 19, 2025•45 min
In this episode of The Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, hosts Dr. Andy Roark and Stephanie Goss dive into a common challenge faced by veterinary leaders: handling team concerns when business decisions feel like they prioritize money over patient care. Whether you’re in a corporate-owned or private practice, navigating the balance between financial sustainability and compassionate care is essential. Let’s explore how to address these concerns effectively while keeping your team engaged and motivated...
Feb 12, 2025•35 min
Dr. Kerri Anderson, owner of Fillmore Animal Hospital in California, joins Dr. Andy Roark on the Uncharted Podcast to share how AI scribes revolutionized her practice. By implementing ScribbleVet, Dr. Anderson reduced appointment times from 30 to 22 minutes, maintained productivity after losing a veterinarian, and now consistently leaves on time with all her medical records completed. In this episode, Dr. Anderson breaks down her workflow, highlighting how AI scribes allow her to focus on client...
Feb 10, 2025•30 min
Failure is often feared, especially in high-stakes environments like veterinary medicine. But what if embracing failure could be the key to developing stronger leaders? In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Stephanie Goss sits down with Dr. Megan Gilhooly, Vice President of Veterinary Affairs at Banfield Pet Hospital, to explore why failure is an essential part of leadership growth and how veterinary professionals can create environments where failure fuels success. Let’s break do...
Feb 05, 2025•47 min
Struggling with team recognition? In this episode of the Uncharted Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark and Stephanie Goss tackle a complex yet common challenge in veterinary practice management: how to implement appreciation programs that resonate with everyone. Inspired by a mailbag letter from a practice leader, they dive into why appreciation programs can sometimes miss the mark and offer practical strategies for making them more inclusive and effective. If you’ve ever tried to do something kind for your...
Jan 29, 2025•34 min
In veterinary practices, wage conversations are often challenging but crucial to retaining staff and maintaining a healthy work environment. In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark and Stephanie Goss tackle a practice manager’s question about advocating for wage increases in a privately owned multi-doctor practice. Their insights provide actionable steps for practice leaders to approach pay discussions with clarity, empathy, and professionalism. Team Building Made Eas...
Jan 22, 2025•31 min
Veterinary teams thrive on collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving. But what happens when enthusiasm for a team project meets unexpected concerns? In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, Maria Pirita and Dr. Andy Roark dive into a real-life scenario where a veterinary team’s excitement about a fundraising event is challenged by concerns over pet safety and stress. The result? A roadmap for leaders to balance team dynamics, validate feedback, and move forward with confidence. ...
Jan 15, 2025•46 min
This week on the Uncharted Podcast, Stephanie Goss is joined by the incredible Nicole Clausen—spreadsheet enthusiast, inventory guru, and all-around amazing human! We’re tackling a mailbag question about one of the most challenging aspects of veterinary practice management: inventory. Nicole shares her expert tips on organizing chaos, budgeting effectively, navigating team dynamics, and adapting to the ever-changing world of ordering and shipping. With her warmth, humor, and practical advice, Ni...
Jan 08, 2025•54 min
Ever wonder what the best way to kick off the New Year at your veterinary clinic? Stephanie Goss and Dr. Andy Roark start off 2025 with an inspiring New Year’s Day episode of the Uncharted Podcast. Together, they share actionable advice for veterinary leaders to start the year with intention and focus. Whether it’s recentering on purpose and relationships, self-reflecting as a leader, or fostering consistency in team development, this episode is packed with practical strategies to set the tone f...
Jan 01, 2025•32 min
Dr. Andy Roark, Stephanie Goss and Maria Pirita share nuggets of wisdom as gifts for this veterinary season. In this episode of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast, our hosts kick off the holiday season with some personal stories and lessons in hopes of helping aspiring leaders grow. Tune in to hear how these helpful management pearls can help your veterinary teams thrive! Unlock Success with an Uncharted Membership! As an Uncharted Member, you can consult colleagues on pressing issues, join free w...
Dec 25, 2024•25 min
Is it possible to balance veterinary medicine and a life outside of work? In this episode of the Uncharted Podcast, Dr. Stephanie Goss and Dr. Lauren Jones discuss the all-too-common problem of the "nice vet" syndrome - the struggle of wanting to help everyone (clients, team members, and patients) while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Dr. Jones, a practicing veterinarian and Director of Veterinary Medicine for Shepherd Veterinary Software , shares her personal experiences and insights o...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 2 min